Spectroscopy and Photometry in Astronomy

Code:

AST4003

Acronym:

AST4003

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Astronomy

Instance: 2023/2024 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Physics and Astronomy
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Astronomy and Astrophysics

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M:A_ASTR	13	Study plan since academic year 2023/2024	1	-	6	42	162

Teaching language

English
Obs.: As aulas decorrerão em português caso todos dominem esta língua.

Objectives

It is intended that students understand the workings and characteristics of detectors and instruments of observation in modern astronomy, in particular in the optical waveband and including CCD cameras and spectrographs. They should also acquire the basic knowledge enabling them to reduce photometric and spectroscopic data, analyze the results and infer conclusions on practical applications in research.

Learning outcomes and competences

Familiarization with the basic signals in Astronomy (photometry, spectroscopy), detectors and their operation in order to be able to reduce the respective data. Acquisition of basic knowledge on data reduction. Ability to handle specific software and analyse the results of its application to real data.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Instrumentation in Astronomy - Cameras and detectors. - Noise and artifacts recorded on a CCD and their correction. - Filter and magnitude systems in the optical. - The spectrograph and the dipersor - gratings. - Resolving power of a spectrograph. - Quick reference to multi-object spectroscopy and integral field spectroscopy. 2. Reduction of low-resolution spectroscopic observations - The treatment of thermal noise and sensitivity analysis of the detector. - Removal of the effects of cosmic rays in the images. - Calibration of the spectra in wavelength. - Calibration of spectra in flux using standard reference stars. - Analysis 3. Reduction of observations in several photometric filters - The treatment of thermal noise and sensitivity analysis of the detector. - PSF analysis and detection of objects in the image. - Aperture photometry. - Photometry calibration using standard stars.

Mandatory literature

Sterken Chr.; Astronomical photometry. ISBN: 0-7923-1776-9
Kitchin C. R.; Astrophysical techniques. ISBN: 0-85274-461-7
Gray David F.; The observation and analysis of stellar photospheres. ISBN: 0-521-85186-6

Complementary Bibliography

Sutton Edmund C.; Observational astronomy. ISBN: 9781107010468

Comments from the literature

Support documents regarding the software used for data reduction will be made available or indicated to the students. Published scientific papers will also be given as bibliographic material, when/if required.

Teaching methods and learning activities

Practical work with computer during classes, enabling the reduction of real astronomical data using the adopted software. These classes will be supplemented with lectures on the fundamentals of data processing. The final exam will use the computer, in order to reduce real observations, both spectroscopic and photometric.

Software

Python

keywords

Physical sciences > Astronomy

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Teste	50,00
Exame	50,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	120,00
Frequência das aulas	42,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

In each of the components, photometry and spectroscopy, one  must obtain a minimum mark of 7 out of 20.

Calculation formula of final grade

Students can choose between two alternative assessment systems:

A- with continuous assessment:
A1. [50%] Intermediate written test on Photometry;
A2. [50%] Intermediate written test on Spectroscopy (that takes place on the date of the first exam - época normal).

B- without continuous assessment:
Appeal exam (época de recurso) with two components: Photometry [50%] + Spectroscopy [50%].

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Students in these conditions should contact the teachers at the beginning of the semester  to carry out the practical components in flexible hours, namely with the possibility of using the attendance time.

Classification improvement

By exam, in the "época de recurso" (appeal). The appeal exam will have two components: a module on spectroscopy and another one on photometry. If the student wishes, he/she can improve the grade in only one of the modules.

Observations

The jury of this curricular unit includes:
- Jorge Filipe Gameiro
- Catarina Lobo
- Nuno Santos